Gelwasser’s fierce interest in politics does not run in the family. His mom is a doctor; his father is a graphic designer. If he ever runs for office, he’d be the first in the family to do so, says mom Elisabeth Cohn-Gelwasser.

An old soul

His favorite book: George Orwell’s “1984,” the dystopian tale of government tyranny and totalitarianism.

His favorite movie: “Casablanca.”

“The whole atmosphere and the black and white film and the mist,” Gelwasser says of the 1942 Oscar winner. “Humphrey Bogart loves the woman but knows he has to let her go. I think that drama is missing from films today.”

A theater buff, Gelwasser is as comfortable on stage as he is in the debate room, thanks to 11 years of summer theater camp at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

He can sing. He can dance. He can act.

“It teaches you how to work with others and come together to make something great,” he said of his work onstage. “Before I go on stage, I feel the butterflies in my belly. But that taught me the confidence to be on stage — and that’s something I can use in politics.”

That one-track focus is vintage Gelwasser, those who know him say.

Advertisement

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he was president eventually,” Mujica said. “He’s a dreamer. But he works hard.”

Come fall 2020, he’ll be off to college and Hollywood will need to find someone else to fill his shoes.

In the meantime, Gelwasser is approaching his new volunteer role as seriously as some teens tackle the latest video game.

“I always have a strange fascination with the most mundane parts of government,” he said. “And it’s now my responsibility to [pay attention to those details] now that I’m on the advisory board. And I would hope that all my colleagues are doing the same.”